“Archbishop
Tutu was a towering global figure for peace and an inspiration to
generations across the world. During the darkest days of apartheid, he
was a shining beacon for social justice, freedom and non-violent
resistance.”
Antonio Guterres, Secretary General of the United Nations
As
the world watched the final service for Archbishop Desmond M. Tutu, I
prayed that his legacy would indeed continue to be an inspiration for
the 21st Century. To say he was a man of God, a great soul, a saint in
the truest sense of the word, is truly an understatement. His burial
service on Sunday of simplicity and selflessness speaks volumes of the
humble servant he was. The first time I was privileged to see Archbishop
Tutu in person was on stage during the Parliament of the World’s
Religion gathering in Cape Town, South Africa in 1999. He made such an
impression on me that I began to study his work more closely and in
2010, for the Temple of Understanding’s 50th Anniversary, we were
honored that he agreed to receive a Hollister Award for embracing
interfaith principles in every aspect of his ministry and personal
life.
Archbishop
Tutu will be well remembered on the world stage for his many
commitments, some of which have been lauded by the luminaries I quote
here. But there is one area of his caring that may not be as well known;
his unconditional love and abiding care for the children of the world.
In preparing for the Hollister Award Ceremony, I turned to Media Voices
for Children, a non-profit organization that had filmed him for his work
in supporting their advocacy for children world-wide and particularly
in Africa. Archbishop Tutu was not able to travel to New York to accept
the Hollister Award, but his daughter, Naomi Tutu agreed to accept the
award in his place. Using their footage, we were able to capture on
film, the deep and abiding unconditional love that Desmond Tutu had for
all children who had been abandoned, shunned or abused regardless of
their culture, race, creed or color of their skin. His was a deeply
spiritual vision for an interfaith future and one that I hope will
remain a guiding light for humanity for years to come.
May He Rest In Peace
Alison Van Dyk, Chair, Temple of Understanding
“Desmond’s
faith boiled down to two things: the undaunted courage to embrace this
world’s suffering and injustice and the unwavering confidence in a light
shining in the darkness promising a new day. He was faithful to both
right to the end. They were in “remarkable alignment” in his great
life.”
Bishop William Swing, Founder and President Emeritus, United Religions Initiative
“As
a man of the rainbow and the cross, he taught us never to give up the
hope that people of all colors and faiths, ethnic and gender identities,
rich and poor of all generations, are to be the risen people.” Bishop
Gunnar Stålsett, Honorary President of Religions for Peace
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